Description: Arturia iSEM is a recreation of the classic 1974 Oberheim SEM Synthesizer Expander Module. It features over 500 sounds. All the original parameters of the Oberheim SEM: 2 oscillators, each offering sawtooth wave and variable-width pulse wave with PWM, sine wave LFO, 12dB/oct multi-mode Filter with low-pass, high-pass, band-pass and notch, two ADS envelope generators. Supports AudioBus and Apple’s Inter-App Audio connectivity.

Review
Arturia iSEM is a follow up to the iMini app for the iPad. As usual the quality and play ability is second to none. The iSEM is Arturia’s recreation of the 1974 Oberheim SEM Synthesizer Expander Module, which was used by such famous artists as Vince Clarke, 808 State and Depeche Mode. The iSEM in turn is the iOS version of Oberheim SEM V. The iPad version uses the TAE® technology from the Oberheim SEM V software. iSEM cost $9.99, where as SEM V costs $99.00 as a download.

What is it? iSEM is pretty much an emulation of a analog synthesizer. Great for bases and amazing leads. It features all the parameters of the Oberheim SEM: 2 oscillators, each offering sawtooth wave and variable-width pulse wave with PWM, sine wave LFO, 12dB/oct multi-mode Filter with low-pass, high-pass, band-pass and notch, two ADS envelope generators. But it also adds new functionality: an LFO, Noise, Sub oscillator, Arpeggiator and Portamento. The Programmer module is 8 voice and allows each voice to have various settings such as HOLD and CHORD modes, Chorus, Delay. As with all major releases Audio and MIDI support is deep, including WIST to sync to other devices Audiobus and Apple’s Inter-App Audio connectivity (requires iOS7), which is popping up everywhere now.

Is it any good? Yes of course. It’s Arturia. I loved the iMini and this is another great emulation of a classic instrument. There are over 500 presets sounds to get you started. The 8 Voice Programmer is great for getting movement in your notes, such as adding VCF RESO to one note, something different to the next and so on. The Performance Mode is another interesting aspect for playing live and assigning a different function to each of the 4 sliders. The Arpeggiator is great when used with the Performance Mode. You can also save your creations with ease although there is no user bank. For $9.99 it’s a lot cheaper than the software version and worth every cent.

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